Perhaps you’ve been putting off your fencing project because your property is sloped or curved and you know it’s going to be a challenging venture. If you look at your backyard and dream of seeing a beautifully constructed fence but aren’t sure how to tackle the tough issues it’s time to get professional help. These are some top metal fencing ideas for a property with hills and curves.
The first thing to consider in regards to a slope is the possibility of grading or leveling the slope. Grading is when you use machinery for digging, cutting, and moving the soil, so the land is more level. It might sound like a hassle, or be expensive, but it could be easier or look more attractive than building a fence on a slope. If you decide against grading, your only other option is to build a fence designed specifically for a sloped property. To construct a fence on a sloped property, you’ll have to decide if you want to use a raked fencing design or stepped fencing.
Raked Fencing
Raked fence, which is sometimes called racked fencing, has bold angles. The angles remain parallel to the ground so that the gap between the ground and the pickets is approximately the same for the entire fence length. It looks consistent and should prevent open gaps at the bottom, which will keep your pets safe. Unfortunately, this method doesn’t work for all sloped properties. If your property slope is quite steep, raked fencing is likely not appropriate. The limit is usually about a 12-inch slope across a 6-foot section of ground, so you’ll need to measure to see if it’s viable.
Stepped Fencing
Stepped fencing is another option for sloped properties. It uses rails that are perpendicular to the fence pickets so that every section accommodates the slope of the property. The fence ends up looking like a set of stairs which increases in height as you continue up the slope. Stepped fencing usually has gaps which may enable your beloved pet to get out of your yard. The fence will also look less consistent, which makes it a less popular choice for many home owner’s, but a stepped fence tends to be simpler to construct.
Curved Fencing
Another common fencing challenge is dealing with curved property lines. If your property lines are not straight, you may need to build a fence that curves. A curved fence isn’t really curved; it just looks that way. The section of a fence stretching between each of the posts is always a straight line regardless of the construction materials.
Building a fence along a curve is always best left to a professional. When building a curved fence it’s imperative that each post is placed correctly to create the desired curve for the fence-line. A professional contractor will work with you to form the optimal curve for your fence-line.
They will likely begin by choosing the center point of the length of the curve and place a stake at that spot. They’ll use some string or wire and tie it to one end to the stake, and then move around to create an arc. Then, they’ll drive in additional stakes where the posts will be placed along the curve. The process will be repeated for the entire fence-line until the complete curve is drawn out and you’re happy with the placement.
Next, your contractor will dig the fence post holes and set the posts where they placed the stakes. They will continue to set the posts and then place the fence boards between the posts until your fence is complete. Don’t forget to have a removable section and to include a couple of gates.
It does take more time and energy to construct a fence on a sloped or curved property, but the improved privacy and protection for your pets will be worth it. It’s always a good idea to get a free estimate from a professional fencing company and to get all of your questions answered before starting your fencing project.
